A plan for a multi-million-dollar transportation program was put on hold Tuesday when Sarasota County Commissioners voted to withdraw an application to the federal government seeking funding for a bus rapid transit program.

The bus rapid transit program had a projected capital cost of between $5 million and $10 million and would eventually have created rapid connection lines between such destinations as the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, downtown Sarasota, Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Westfield Southgate.
The decision to pull the application surprised County Commissioner Joe Barbetta, the lone vote in favor of continuing to pursue the federal funds. "If we had BRT, it would have very much helped with the redevelopment of the North Trail, but that fell on deaf ears," Barbetta said. "I'm sure it's a money thing."
Jonathan Paul, interim transportation planning director, told commissioners the project had merits but was definitely a large commitment in funding. Had the project continued, staff would have needed to identify funding for consultants to update project justification and enter into project development for the Small Starts program. That would also have put the project on a timeline; at whatever point the Federal Transportation Administration approved a county application, the BRT project would have to be completed and operational within five years of that point.
"In the bigger picture, BRT has validity," Paul said. "The 41 corridor could serve real traffic patterns and there is potential to revitalize the 301 corridor, so it is something worth pursuing." But he acknowledged a $10 million commitment on matching a federal grant would be difficult.
The plan for BRT has been part of discussions between Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota regarding North Trail redevelopment and with Manatee County regarding the potential merger of transit systems for both counties.

A featured portion of the forum will be Shaw's report on his recent trip to High Point, N.C., "where he learned more about a unique community based initiative to reduce crime," the release adds. "Led by criminologist David Kennedy, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, the High Point community used a multi-pronged approach to reduce crime," the news release says.

No place else in town better demonstrates the wild contrasts of Sarasota. Ironies abound on the North Tamiami Trail – the home of an honors college, but also home to the community’s highest pockets of illiteracy; home to the wealthiest and the poorest residents in the city, separated by only a few hundred feet of geography.

For decades the redevelopment of “North Trail” has been a city priority. But on May 7, the city commissioners voted down a proposal to use a nationally recognized planning firm to help create a master concept for what many call the community’s gateway.

Something new is happening on Sarasota's North Trail. For the last two years a group of dedicated volunteers has been working diligently to improve this gateway to our city. Instead of complaining about the blight, they have taken action.

With the Sarasota County and City commissions' approval of $40,000 each, plus some $22,000 already committed by property owners, the North Trail Redevelopment Partnership is raring to go to renovate and resuscitate the northern gateway into Sarasota. "The group will be meeting this week to energize the business plan by determining the qualifications for hiring a redevelopment director," said Dick Clapp, a founder of the partnership. Sarasota City Manager Bob Bartolotta looks forward to working with NTRP and the County to develop a contract identifying the formal structure so both government agencies can partially fund the effort for the next two years. A draft version of alterations to the current overlay district will soon be presented to the partnership, North Trail Business Alliance and the four neighborhoods flanking the linear corridor -- Indian Beach Sapphire Shores, Tahiti Park, Central Cocoanut, and Bayou Oaks -- prior to presentation to the City Planning Board and City Commission. Partnership leaders including Clapp, Jay Patel, Steve Roskamp and Richard Dorfman have worked strenuously to develop a business plan and alterations to the city code to enhance, encourage and attract new development. The neighborhoods, educational institutions, property and business owners have all been involved and are enthusiastic about the timing for all of this to come together. With land costs at an all time low, opportunities for attracting financial investment is higher than it's been for a very long time. As Commissioner Willie Shaw said: "What is positive for the North Trail is positive for all of Sarasota." Jay Patel agreed. "In the last six to eight months, the North Trail has become more affordable. The momentum is building. The need is now. The opportunity is now." The City Commission unanimously jumped on board with the request. The County Commission did, too. With additional private sector support, the NTRP is anticipating their redevelopment director to be sitting in his or her Roskamp Center office ready to roll by the first of next year.